IRB Alignment Checklist - Pseudonyms

This checklist is designed to guide researchers in aligning pseudonym practices with ethical standards and IRB requirements when using AI-assisted methods. It highlights four areas of consideration: (A) Confidentiality & Anonymity (screening for direct identifiers, avoiding rare names), (B) Cultural & Ethical Sensitivity (ensuring pseudonyms honor identity and context), (C) AI Transparency (describing tools, documenting limitations, and maintaining human review), and (D) Researcher Positionality & Accountability (reflecting on researcher identity, disciplinary norms, and participant input). By foregrounding confidentiality, cultural resonance, transparency, and reflexivity, the checklist provides a structured tool for proposing and documenting pseudonym strategies in qualitative research.